The Goodnight Gecko

by Gill McBarnet

The bestselling Hawaiian children's book, The Goodnight Gecko , tells the story of a little gecko who surprises his mother by telling her that he doesn't like the night. His mother proceeds to dispel his fears as one by one she introduces him to some of the delightful sights of a Hawaiian night.

This charming Hawaiian bedtime story has inspired a generation of island youngsters and young visitors to Hawaii, and continues to be one of the most successful children's books in Hawaii.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals

32 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 1991

About the author

Gill McBarnet is one of Hawaii's top children's book authors. For nearly 30 years, Gill McBarnet has been writing and illustrating children's books with Hawaiian settings, and her words and delightful illustrations have inspired a generation of island youngsters and young visitors to Hawaii.

From a whale who wanted to be small, a brave little turtle, a bullying shark and geckos who like to play hide and seek, Gill McBarnet has explored a host of Hawaiian themes with liveliness and humor. Her stories are entertaining, comforting, amusing and interesting, and many have become best sellers in Hawaii. "THE GOODNIGHT GECKO" and "GECKO HIDE AND SEEK" are amongst the top 5 best selling children's books in Hawaii; and "THE WHALE WHO WANTED TO BE SMALL", "THE WONDERFUL JOURNEY", "THE SHARK WHO LEARNED A LESSON" and "GECKO HIDE AND SEEK" are also best selling children's books in Hawaii. Gill's most recent book, "HAPPY AS A DOLPHIN: A CHILD'S CELEBRATION OF HAWAII", invites young readers to join a lively celebration of Hawaii.

Gill was born and raised in Zimbabwe, Southern Africa, but moved to Hawaii in 1984, where she wrote her first children's book about whales, an animal she fell in love with after coming to Maui. Gill's book, "THE WHALE WHO WANTED TO BE SMALL", was the first of over a dozen exquisitely illustrated children's book to be written by the acclaimed author.

Gill still draws inspiration for her stories from the people, animals and lifestyle that surrounds her. Gill is the recipient of numerous literacy awards.

Take a look in some of Gill's books, to see how effectively she conveys Hawaiian images, mood, story, humor, and information along with a sense of the magic of childhood.

From Amazon.com Author profile
http://www.amazon.com/Gill-McBarnet/e...

Reviews

[Kalynne]

Date: 12/08/23
Attendees 80
Theme: Reptiles – New pet leopard gecko

Introduction and announcements: Clap Everybody and Say Hello

Book one: One Day in the Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus Tree by Daniel Bernstrom

Song/rhyme/game one: Ssss Ssss went the slippery snake one day

Book two: The Goodnight Gecko by Gill McBarnet

Song/rhyme/game two: If Animals Could Dance by the Learning Station

Book three: Amazing Animals: Geckos by Kate Riggs

Song/ rhyme/ game three: Lizard Fingerplay
5 little bugs on the forest floor
Along came a sticky tongue lizard … SLURP!!!
Now there are 4
*repeat*

Announcements: introduce our new lizard

Activity: Leopard Gecko Coloring Page and naming sheet

[Rhiannon's Reading Corner · Rating 3 out of 5]

When a newly hatched gecko feels nervous about leaving the nest, his mother takes him on a tour of the Hawaiian nighttime, showing her little gecko that there is nothing to fear.

Picture Books - Ages 3+

The Goodnight Gecko is a sweet goodnight story about overcoming fears. I loved learning about the Hawaiian nighttime through this book and its illustrations.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Erin brought me this delightful book years ago from a trip to Hawaii. It is a sweet story with gorgeous illustrations, and fun to read out loud! Not sure when that was, but I re-read today and loved it all over again!

[Sam Desir-Spinelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

A favorite when I was a kid, which my son now loves too.

Not much more than a cute kids book.

[Dalton Prather · Rating 4 out of 5]

The bright colors in a few of the images are spectacular. This book is a good bed time story.

[Valleri · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful bedtime book that tells the story of Hawaiian geckos as young ones of the Islands (and afar) drift off to sleep.

[Anastasia Antony · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 star rating

[Jenna Montgomery · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story about gecko who needs help learning to love being nocturnal. I'm glad to pass this along to a friend's kid who has a pet gecko.

[Jaclyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is adorably illustrated. It's a sweet story of a mama gecko teaching her little gecko about all the things that make the night beautiful.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a sweet book about geckos and other flora and fauna on Hawaii that quickly transitions to a nighttime setting and makes for a good bedtime story. A few of the pages have narrative that is reminiscent of "Goodnight Moon," although of course, with a Hawaiian flair.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My mom bought this book for Mia when she went to Hawaii. It's a very cute story and has beautiful pictures.

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a cool book. I loved the illilustrations.

[Crystal Marcos · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple story about geckos and how they became known as the Goodnight Geckos. I agree with another reader that it is a Hawaiian version of Goodnight moon.

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

My mother brought this book home for my daughter years ago after a vacation she took to Hawaii. It was a very sweet story, along the lines of "Goodnight Moon" and my daughter enjoyed it.

[❀Aimee❀ Just one more page... · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming illustrations. My children love this one.

[Xen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Best Of Most Hawiian Books,But Not Too Good.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

We LOVE this book and read it over and over again.

[Sherell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorites to read to my son

[Pato Myers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book for my niece and nephew.